Package



30, 3 JHC. MULLINS ,8

PACKAGE Filed March 24, 1936 I am all/11mm fla Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PACKAGE John 0. Mullins, Tulsa, Okla.

Application March 24, 1936, Serial No. 70,650

This invention relates to packages, and more particularly to packages for confections, or the like, the individual pieces of which are wrapped -or covered and in which it is desirable to withdraw the individual pieces singly.

By way of example, the invention has been illustrated in connection with chewing gum. In conventional packages for this confection, it has been necessary to individually withdraw the wrapped pieces and unwrap each piece before using. Considerable time and efiort is usually required to finally unwrap the individual pieces, and

the hands of the user almost invariably come in contact therewith before it is finally placed in the mouth. Thus it is usually necessary to lay the package from which the article is withdrawn to one side and use both hands to unwrap the in- Also, contact with the hands of the user usually renders the piece of confection unsanitary. The package of the present invention obviates these objectionable features and provides for marked convenience and sanitation.

It is an object of thepresent invention to provide a package whereby a single movement in the act of withdrawing an individually wrapped piece of confection, or the like, from a package, re-

- moves the wrapping or covering from at least a dividual piece.

portion thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package in which a portion of the wrapping of an individual article contained therein is retained in the package when a piece is withdrawn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package having individually wrapped pieces of confection which permits a piece to be conveniently withdrawn by a single movement and which exposes at least a portion of the piece to be grasped by the teeth of the user without con- 1.

tact with the hands, but which leaves the portion in contact with the hands still covered.

A further object of the invention is to provide a package of individually wrapped pieces of confection in which a piece may be withdrawn without contact with the hands of the user to expose at least a portion of the piece so as to provide for the exposed portion to be grasped by the teeth and the remainder of the wrapper to be withdrawn from the piece.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of the preferred embodiment of .my invention illustrated in the attached drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in sections, of a package in accordance with this invention; 5 Figure 2 is a perspective view of an individual- 9 Claims. (Cl. 99-180) ly wrapped piece with the wrapping partly broken away;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a completedypackage in accordance with Fig. 3 with the wrapper partly broken away; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another modification.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, l0 indicates an outside wrapping for a package of chewing gum of the type which completely covers the end of the package; H indicates a piece of chewing gum; l2 indicates an inner wrapper for an individual piece of the gum; and I3 indicates an outer wrapper for an individual piece of gum. While only a single outer wrapper 10 has been shown, it is obviousthat this wrapping may be a multiple layer wrapping, and while a multiple layer wrapping for the individual pieces of gum has been illustrated, it is likewise obvious that this may be a single layer without departing from the invention.

' As shown in Figure 1, this invention may be accomplished by securing the outer wrapper I 3 of the individual pieces of confection II to the main package III as by an adhesive shown by the heavy line H in Fig. 1. If a multiple layer individual wrapping is employed, it is desirable respectively, of the individual pieces of confection together as by an adhesive shown by the heavy line IS in .Fig. 1. Similarly, the outer wrappers iii of the individual pieces ll may be secured together as by a continuation of the adhesive I 4 as shown by the heavy lines I 6 in Fig.

The inner and outer wrappers of the individual pieces are preferably weakened intermediate the ends of the piece of confection; for example, by partially severing these wrappers, as by the perforations l1 and 18 in the inner and outer wrappers l2 and I3, respectively. These perforations have been illustrated as being staggered in the two wrappers, although it is obvious that they may be superimposed if desired. The arrangement shown is, however, preferred since the confection H is completely covered and there is no opportunity for the confection to be contaminated through superimposed perforations.

In the packages in which the main wrapper envelopes the entire package, I prefer to perforate, or otherwise weaken, this wrapper adjacent at least one end thereofas by the perforations l9. By employing the perforations l9 the entire end to secure the iniuer and outer layers l2 and l3,

20 of the outer or main wrapper ill may be easily removed and a tab (not shown) may be employed if desired to facilitate removal of the end 20 of the package.

After the end of the package has been removed, an end of an individually wrapped piece may be grasped by the fingers and the piece II withdrawn from the package. The other end of the package is naturally grasped by the fingers of the other handand as the wrappers 2 and iii are secured to each other and to the main wrapper iii, the wrappers l2 and I3 will part at the perforations i1 and I8. The secured portions of the wrappers l2 and I3 remain in the package when the piece I! is withdrawn. The pressure of the fingers grasping the exposed end of the wrapped piece ii is sufiicient to cause the piece II to be frictionally withdrawn with the withdrawn portion of the wrappers i2 and i3. The

withdrawn portion of the wrappers i2 and i3 forms a protective covering for the end of the confection grasped by the hand, thus retaining the confection in sanitary condition and the exposed end, resulting from leaving a portion of the wrapper in the package, may be inserted in the mouth and held thereby while the remainder of the wrapper is withdrawn from the piece of confection. This operation may be repeated for each of the individually wrapped pieces of confection.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the outer wrapper 2i of the individual piece of confection is shown as being adhesively secured to the main wrapper 22 of the package adjacent the middle portion of the piece of confection as at 23. The inner wrapper 25 of the'piece of confection is likewise adhesively secured to the outer wrapper 2i at 25. The outer and inner wrappers 2i and 25 are weakened at points intermediate the adhesive and the ends of the individually wrapped confection. Thus the outer wrapper is shown as being partially severed by being scored at 26 and 21 instead of being perforated as in the modification of Figs. l and 2, and the inner wrapper is likewise scored at 2% and 29.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the outer wrapper 22 terminates short of the ends of the package, as shown in Fig. 4, and the confection is adapted to be withdrawn from either end of the package. In this modification one end; for example, end 36, of the individually wrapped piece is grasped by the fingers of one hand while the remainder of the package is held by the fingers of the other hand. As in the former modification, the wrappers 2| and 24 will part at their weakened portion, for example, at the scored portions 27 and 29, and the remainder of the wrappers 2| and 24 will remain within the package, since they are secured to the main wrapper 22. Thus the wrappers 2| and 24 will part at the scored portion thereof adjacent the end from which the confection is withdrawn.

The modification of Fig. 5 differs from those of Figs. 1 to 4, in that the wrappers of the individual pieces are completely severed instead of being only partially severed. Thus the inner wrapper 25 around the confection includes two portions 26 and 21 overlapped at 28 and the outer wrapper 29 includes two portions 30 and 3| abutting at 32. It is apparent that either or both wrappers may be overlapped as shown at 28 or that either or both may abut as shown at 32, and the joints may be superimposed or staggered as desired. The essentials of this modification may be employed in combination with either of the types of main wrappers ill or 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

This particularly applies to the present modification in which no appreciable force is necessary to cause separation of the wrappers and frictional engagement between the main or outer wrapper of the packagev will in most cases be sufiicient to retain the desired portions of the wrappers of the individual piece within the package. If only a small portion of the confection ii is desired to be exposed when withdrawn, the inner wrapper only of an individual piece may be severed or weakened. Thus, in Fig. 5 the severing of the wrapper 29 at 32 may be omitted along with the adhesive 33 and 34 so that the entire wrapper 29 is withdrawn, leaving only the portion 26 of the wrapper 25 within the package. In this case adhesive 35 securing the portion 26 to the outer ormain wrapper of the package may be employed if necessary to retain the portion 26 within the package. Also the severing 32 or other weakening of the wrapper 29 may be employed along with the adhesive 55 as well as the adhesive 33 and 34 to insure that the desired portions of the wrappers remain within the package and are removed from the confection.

In all modifications, it will be noted that if only the inner wrappers of the individual pieces; namely, wrappers i2, 24 and 25 of the various modifications, are grasped in withdrawing the confection from the package, a portion only of this wrapper may be withdrawn from the package, leaving the wrappers i3, 2| and 29 of the various modifications entirely within the package, as well as a portion of the wrappers I2, 24 and 25. This is not ordinarily objectionable but if it is desired to prevent such action, the portions of the inner and outer wrappers of the individual pieces of confection may be secured to each other as, for example, by the adhesive 35 shown in Fig. 5.

I have thus provided a package of individually wrapped pieces which may be withdrawn singly from the package to expose a portion thereof. The package is particularly adapted for confection such as chewing gum and contact with the confection or other material with the hands of the user is obviated, thus preventing contamination thereof and retaining the confection in sanitary condition. The exposed end of the confection may then be placed in the mouth and the remainder of the wrapper removed, still without contact with the hand or extraneous objects. Also, a single movement only is required to condition the confection for use. Thus the package provides for both convenience and sanitation.

It will be appreciated that my invention is susceptible to modification; for example, means other than those disclosed for weakening the wrappers of the individual pieces may be employed or a mechanical means for cutting an unweakened wrapper may be used; the various wrappers may be secured together by means other than the adhesive disclosed, for example, frictional means; the number of wrappings about the individual pieces, as well as those of the main wrapper, may be varied;. two or more of the various ways of weakening or severing the wrappers may be employed in the same package; and also the entire outer or main wrapper may be entirely eliminated along with the perforation or scoring of the outer wrapper of the individual pieces so that the package is made up of individually wrapped pieces with the wrappers thereof adhesively secured to-- gether with only the inner wrapper of each individual piece perforated, severed or otherwise adapted to be separated so that an individual piece along with a portion of the inner wrapper thereof may be withdrawn leaving the remaining portion of the inner wrapper in the outer wrapper of the individual piece.

While I have disclosed the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that the details thereof may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A package for elongated articles comprising an inner wrapper and an outer wrapper, said inner wrapper having a portion thereof secured to said outer wrapper and being weakened at a position intermediate said secured portion and an end of said article, whereby said article along with a portion of said inner wrapper maybe withdrawn from said outer wrapperto leave a portion of said inner wrapper within said outer wrapper and a portion of said article exposed.

2. A package for a plurality of superimposed elongated articles, said package comprising, an inner wrapper around each of said articles, an outer wrapper around a plurality of said articles, a portion of said inner wrappers being secured to said outer wrapper, said inner wrappers being weakened intermediate said secured portion and an end of said articles, whereby said inner wrapper may be grasped adjacent said end and withdrawn from said package by parting said inner wrapper at said weakened portion to leave a portion of said inner wrapper within said outer wrapper and a portion of said article exposed.

3. A package for a plurality of superimposed elongated articles, said package comprising, an individual wrapper completely covering each of said articles, an outer wrapper surrounding a plurality of the wrapped articles, said inner wrappers having portions thereof secured to each other and to said outer wrapper and having weakened portions intermediate said secured portions and an end, of said package.

4. A package for elongated pieces of confection, comprising a first wrapper for each of said pieces and a second wrapper surrounding a plurality of the wrapped pieces, said first wrappers being adhesively secured to each other and to said second wrapper adjacent one end of said package, said first wrappers being perforated intermediate the ends of said package, whereby each of said pieces may be withdrawn by grasping the wrapper thereof adjacent the other end' of said package without contacting said pieces with the hands of the user to leave a portion of 5 said first wrapper in said package and a portion of said piece exposed.

5. A package for a plurality of elongated pieces of confection,which comprises, a first wrapper for each of said pieces and a second wrapper around a plurality of said pieces, said first, wrappers being adhesively secured to each other adjacent their middle portions and being weakened intermediate said secured portions and the ends of said package.

, 6. A package for elongated articles comprising an inner wrapper for each article and an outer wrapper, said inner wrapper being at least partially severed intermediate the ends of said article, said inner wrapper having a portion thereof 20 secured to said outer wrapper, whereby said article may be withdrawn from said outer wrapper along with another portion of said inner wrapper by grasping said other portion of said inner wrapper.

7. A package for a plurality of superimposed elongated articles, said package comprising, an inner wrapper enveloping each of said articles, and an outer wrapper around a plurality of said articles, said inner wrapper being at least partially severed intermediate its ends, each of said inner wrappers having a portion thereof secured said articles, an outer wrapper surrounding a plurality of the wrapped articles, said inner wrappers having portions thereof secured to each other and to said outer wrapper and being sev- 1 ered between said secured portions and an end of said package. 4

9. A package for at least one elongated article comprising an inner wrapper "for each article and an outer wrapper, said package having means intermediate the ends thereof providing for separating said inner wrapper into two portions, said inner wrapper having one of said portions se-' cured to said outer wrapper, whereby said article may be withdrawn from said outer wrapper along 1 with the other portion of said inner wrapper.

JOHN C. MULLINS. 

